Hey SUP surfers,

I am looking for advice on board progression and since I can't try boards I thought I'll ask for some help here.

i am 44, 5'10, 90kg and been surfing on all conditions for 7 years on a Surftech Al Merrick 10'1, 30 wide, 156ltr. The board is too big and is becoming boaring as it lacks manoeuvrability and speed so I am looking at the Naish Mad Dog and not sure which one would be best. Don't want to spend all the money and get a board that I'll grow out of it too quickly but also one that is too low in volume and not enjoy at all. The dilemma haha

I am looking at:

Naish Mad Dog 8'11, 29 wide, 130ltr or
Naish Mad Dog x32, 9'0, 32 wide, 145ltr

any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I wouldn't go to a 32" wide board (if you're looking for something more sporty), and I wonder if the Mad Dog, which is pulled in and rockered if I understand right, will feel faster. I would think the Mad Dog could go faster if you pump it on steep waves (but not sure how easy that is at 9'), but if you want a board that cruises fast you prob want the performance version of their Nalu longboard, or a grovel type board with flat rocker and wider tail. The Mad Dog should be unstable for its volume if it's a 'pro' type shape. Performance longboard seems like a good option, like a 9x30, but dunno what kind of surfing you like/want to do or what waves you're on.

130L is just under 1.5L/kg so not overly ambitious. I would bet that it feels very difficult your first day because you've been on a generous board for so long -- but that's what you want. If it's easy or even doable but shaky on your first few waves, then you probably coulda gone another notch down.

That's great advice thank you so much. I like that I am not being overly ambitious. I am looking for a board that is faster and turn more aggressively with less weight on the nose hence why looking at Mad Dog, I am certainly on for a bit of a challenge but don't want to get a board that is too far of my reach balance wise when paddling, I am confident once I am on the wave I'll handle the less volume well, it is perhaps and mainly managing the balance when not on a wave.

As Kisutch says, depends on the waves u want to surf e.g sucky reef breaks, long point breaks, beach breaks.. & how far you have to paddle to get there. Do you like to cruise on a wave or surf vertically and push hard. Also how often will you be getting out? 7 years is a long time on one board..it sounds like once every few months or so?
Why limit yourself to just the Naish models? There are many boards in the 8'8 - 9'0 x 130L - 140L range. IMO you're better off getting a cheaper used model w dims in the right range than setting your sights on one type of board and buying it new..unless you're certain.

Hey mate, if you're not absolutely stuck on a mad dog I'd encourage you to give Smik a go, I've had a number of different makes and while they've all been good the Smik I have now takes Gold. I have a custom spitfire but I'm wondering if a hipster twin might be the go for you just because it keeps a wider outline towards nose, so size to size against a spitty should be more stable. Anyways give Scotty a call and talk to him.
i have no affiliation just a very very happy customer
me: 62yrs
83kg
5'10"
board: 7'10"x 27" custom spitty

Hi mate, I am ten years older and five or so Kg's on top too.

I had a Naish 9x32 Maddog as my first surf shape board a few years ago. It was a great board and intro into serious surf shapes.

For me it was a board of two ends, the pulled in nose allowed me to paddle into any wave without the thought of catching it on late, steep drops. Its wide in the tail though and whilst it gave it great stability paddling around and catching waves I found it held the board back slightly. You can pump the board and it turns well, it just that your back foot and to be in the right place or it would balk at turning.

I also had at the same time the Naish Nalu 10x29, and from memory the tail on the Nalu was nearly two inches narrower and it allowed the board to turn so much easier.




Maddog at the top, Nalu below.

So if you already have found your feet in the surf and are looking for a better performing board the 8'11 Maddog would be my choice.
The narrower width might be a challenge in bumps, but the board should perform much better on the waves. If you need the stability the x32 has plenty and will allow you to catch anything and manage long surfs without being too trying.

I sold both of the Naish's and at the moment I ride a Smik Histper Twin 8'6x31.5, its width is in the nose rather than the tail and as a result it has the same stability but its surf ability is off the charts. It turns so much faster, gets speed out of nothing and is super fun to surf. If you surf more powerful waves the newer Hipster Twin Pin might be well worth a look. The board has a slightly pulled in nose as well as the pin tail compared to my Hipster Twin, so it should be "better" in faster, steeper waves.

The Naish Maddog 8'11 is on my list for my next board for better steeper waves, along with the Smik Spitfire 8'8 or 8'6.

Hope that helps.

Cheers.

Steve.